Page:The Works of the Reverend George Whitefield, M.A. (1771 Vol 1).djvu/207

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LETTER CCIV.

To Mr. W—— D——.


My dear Brother, Savannah, June 28, 1740.

I Thank you for your kind letters and friendly cautions; and trust shall always reckon those my choicest friends, who, in simplicity and meekness, tell me the corruptions of my heart. It is that faithfulness which hath endeared J—— S—— to me. I think I never was obliged to any one so much before: for that reason also I find my heart knit to you. O my dear brother, still continue faithful to my soul: do not hate me in your heart; in any wise reprove me. Exhort all my dear brethren to forgive my past (I fear) too imperious carriage; and let them pray that I may know myself to be what I really am, less than the least of them all. I have abundant reason to bless God for sending me abroad. I cannot say I have improved my retirement as I ought; but I can say it hath been highly beneficial to my soul. I have a garden near at hand, where I go particularly to meet and talk with my God, at the cool of every day. I often sit in silence, offering my soul as so much clay, to be stamped just as my heavenly potter pleases: and whilst I am musing, I am often filled as it were with the fulness of God. I am frequently at Calvary, and frequently on Mount Tabor; but always assured of my Lord's everlasting love. O continue to pray for me, that I may know myself even as I am known. I want to have a proper mixture of the lion and the lamb, of the serpent and the dove. I do not despair of attaining it. Jesus is love; Jesus willeth my perfection; Jesus hath died for me; Jesus can deny me nothing. He hath given me himself; will he not then freely give me all things besides? I wait for thy compleat salvation, O Lord! My dear brother, my heart is now enlarged. Your prayer is answered. The whole Godhead now fills my soul. O grace, grace! O Jesu, Jesu! was ever love like thine! Lord, I abhor myself in dust and ashes. O that I could praise thee! that I could love thee as I ought! My dear brother, I hear you have been zealous for the Lord your God since my departure. You have done well: you never can be zealous for a better master: but why,